 | RACING HISTORY |
YEAR: 1956
FEATURE RACE COMMENT
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The New Zealand Derby Stakes ended in a dual between Bon Ton and Lookaway over the final furlong, with Bon Ton eventually asserting himself as by far the best three-year-old of the season to date.
Drawn in the second row, Bon Ton shot through brilliantly at barrier rise and was trailing the pacemaker Gentry, within half a furlong. Reputation then dashed through to take the lead from Gentry, with Bon Ton close up and Dignus and Golden Hero next.
The leading positions did not change until Lookaway moved up from sixth with a round to go, to have a clear lead at the furlong from Bon Ton, who had worked clear of a pocket at the quarter post. Bon Ton did not collar Lookaway until as late as 100 yards from the post, and it was a solid effort on the part of Lookaway (who was also drawn on the second line), to have Bon Ton stretched out at the finish, and also beat the third horse, Dignus, so easily. Golden Hero was a fair fourth, followed by Gentry, Aksarben, Overdrive and Crimson Star. Shantung and Sextant extinguished their chances at the start.
Bon Ton dispelled all doubts about three-year-old supremacy to date this season. He had been described as desperately unlucky to go down in defeat to Gentry in the Riccarton Stakes on the first day of the Cup carnival
Credit: 'Ribbonwood' writing in NZ Trotting Calendar